Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)

Important information for health professionals and the general public on MERS.

Page last updated: 10 September 2018

MERS coronavirus is a disease caused by a virus that can cause a rapid onset of severe respiratory disease in people. Most severe cases have occurred in people with underlying conditions that may make them more likely to get respiratory infections.

All cases have lived in or travelled to the Middle East, or have had close contact with people who acquired the infection in the Middle East. There have been no cases in Australia.

The Department has made the following information resources available for a range of audiences.